false indigo; bastard indigo; leadwort
A deciduous shrub (Amorpha fruticosa) native to North America, often used for erosion control or as an ornamental plant. In Japan it is considered an invasive species.
False indigo is an alien plant often seen on riverbanks.
The flowers of the false indigo are purple and bloom in early summer.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the plant name is usually written in kana.
The Japanese name イタチハギ (鼬萩) literally means 'weasel bush clover', but the exact origin of the name is uncertain. It may refer to the shape of the flower spikes or the plant's invasive, weasel-like spread.